Funding supports community-centered connectivity, affordable access, online safety, and an open, trustworthy Internet. Applications are open now.
The Internet Society Foundation’s Beyond the Net Grant Program is now accepting applications from Internet Society chapters worldwide. The program funds innovative, locally-led projects that provide meaningful access to an open, trusted, and globally-connected Internet—while strengthening the chapter’s presence in the surrounding community.
Chapters may manage up to two simultaneous grants, not exceeding $55,000 in total. There is no annual cap on the number of grants a chapter can receive.
If your chapter has a project idea that connects the unconnected, makes access more affordable, teaches online safety, or defends an open Internet, read on.
Program Objectives: Local Action, Global Mission
The Beyond the Net program serves two core purposes:
Strengthen the impact of the Internet Society and the Internet Society Foundation’s mission through complementary local activities. Global initiatives need local partners who understand their communities. That’s where chapters come in.
Develop new and strengthen existing relationships and partnerships at the local level. A grant is not just funding. It is a tool for building lasting connections with nonprofits, businesses, universities, and other stakeholders.
Four Focus Areas: Where Your Project Must Fit
The Foundation will support chapter initiatives within one or more of the following thematic areas. Your project should align clearly with at least one.
1. Community-Centered Connectivity
Projects that support unconnected and under-connected populations by providing easy, sustainable solutions and training on the productive use of the Internet.
What this looks like: Building a community network in a rural village. Training farmers to access weather and market data online. Setting up a public Internet access point at a school or health clinic. Teaching digital literacy skills to first-time users.
The key phrase here is “productive use.” Connectivity alone is not enough. People need to know why the Internet matters and how to use it to improve their lives.
2. Affordable and Reliable Access
Projects that make access affordable and resilient for unconnected and under-connected populations by improving, supporting, or advocating for local Internet interconnection infrastructure.
What this looks like: Supporting the development of an Internet Exchange Point (IXP) where local networks can interconnect without paying expensive international transit fees. Advocating for policies that lower the cost of connectivity. Building redundant or resilient infrastructure in disaster-prone areas.
This focus area is about the plumbing of the Internet. When local traffic stays local, it is faster and cheaper for everyone.
3. Online Trust and Safety
Projects that equip recently connected people with knowledge and skills to protect themselves and their communities online.
What this looks like: Workshops on password security and phishing awareness. Training for teachers on how to help students avoid online scams and harassment. Community campaigns about misinformation, disinformation, and how to verify sources. Resources for parents on keeping children safe online.
New Internet users are vulnerable users. This focus area helps them navigate the digital world without being exploited or harmed.
4. Open and Trustworthy Internet
Projects that advocate for and educate policymakers, courts, decision-makers, and commercial entities about threats to the Internet as an open and accessible platform for free expression and the exchange of ideas.
What this looks like: Briefing government officials on why net neutrality matters. Publishing a report on surveillance overreach. Hosting a public debate about platform censorship. Educating judges on digital rights. Advocating for laws that safeguard fundamental rights online.
This is the most policy-oriented focus area. It is about defending the Internet’s architecture and governance from threats that would fragment, control, or undermine it.
Eligibility: Is Your Chapter Ready?
Beyond the Net grants are available only to Internet Society chapters that meet specific criteria. Read carefully.
Your chapter must:
- Be in good standing (or pre-rejuvenation on a case-by-case basis) and meet minimum standards outlined in your Chapter Charter
- Have an official bank account in your chapter’s name (based on legal registration) to receive funds
- Not be undergoing a rejuvenation process
- Have submitted all required reports for other Internet Society Foundation-funded projects
- Not be in an election period
Important limits:
- Chapters may manage a maximum of two simultaneous Beyond the Net grants, not exceeding $55,000 total across both
- Do not submit new proposals while you have two active BtN grants or an active BtN grant at your maximum funding eligibility. Such proposals will be declined without review.
Higher funding tiers require proven experience:
- Chapters wishing to manage more than $35,000 must have successfully managed a single ISOC Foundation grant of $20,000 or more within the past three years
- For single grants exceeding $20,000 , the proposed project must be conducted in partnership with at least one external partner (local nonprofit, business, university, or another ISOC chapter). Documentation such as MOUs must be included in the application, with any conflicts of interest clearly disclosed.
Project Design Parameters: Get the Details Right
Before you write a single word, understand these rules. Applications that violate them will be declined.
Timing: Applications require at least eight to ten weeks from the project start date to process. That means if you want to start on September 1, you must submit by late June at the absolute latest. Applications received less than eight weeks before a proposed start date will be declined immediately. Also, Foundation funding cannot be used for any expenses incurred before the grant agreement is signed.
Scope: Proposals must have a clear focus and cohesive objectives. Applications that combine multiple different projects under a single proposal will not be considered. Pick one thing and do it well.
Duration: Projects exceeding $20,000 must be implemented over at least six months. Projects should not exceed 24 months.
Personnel: Names and qualifications of paid staff and chapter officers must be included in applications and budgets. Personnel expenses for elected chapter officers cannot exceed 20% of the total grant amount. External labor (including chapter members who are not officers) should be listed under Contractual Services. Elected chapter officers cannot be paid contractors on Beyond the Net projects.
Banking: Grant expenses must be paid directly by the chapter, not through any third parties such as nonprofits or companies run by chapter leaders.
Currency: Budgets must show currency exchange rates. Use the most current rate.
Reporting and Compliance: What You Are Signing Up For
Receiving a grant means accepting ongoing obligations.
Reports: Recipients must submit all required reporting through the Fluxx platform, including narrative information, workplan updates, data on project objectives, and financial reporting. Timely submission is mandatory.
Record-keeping: All organizations receiving Foundation funding must maintain detailed financial records, including receipts, and be prepared to share them with Foundation accounting staff if requested.
Audits: A project can be audited at any time during implementation and up to four years after the project ends. Keep your records.
Zero tolerance for fraud: The Internet Society Foundation has a zero-tolerance policy concerning fraud. Any misrepresentation of project activities or apparent mismanagement of grant funds is taken seriously. Failing an audit or committing fraud can result in a chapter being placed in emergency rejuvenation.
Review and Selection: How Decisions Are Made
Applications are screened by the Foundation against three criteria:
- Alignment – Does the proposed project align with Beyond the Net program objectives and priorities?
- Quality – Does the project have clear objectives, relevant key performance indicators with realistic targets, and a coherent work plan?
- Relationships – Does the chapter demonstrate tangible relationships with collaborators and the communities they work with? Are technical specifications suitable?
Applications are scored accordingly. Proposals of $20,000 or more are subsequently reviewed by the Beyond the Net Selection Committee, which includes ISOC and ISOC Foundation staff, chapter representatives, and qualified community experts.
Important: Applications are evaluated solely based on the content submitted and a chapter’s previous performance with Foundation grants, including reporting quality and compliance. Submission does not guarantee funding.
Prohibited Activities: What You Cannot Do With Grant Funds
As a United States-based Foundation, grants must comply with US government regulations. The following activities are explicitly prohibited with grant funds:
- Lobbying – Engaging with policymakers cannot involve advocacy for or against specific legislation. Advocacy is limited to education and awareness-raising of mission-related issues.
- Gifts above $25 USD – This includes meals or entertainment. Nothing worth more than $25 may be given to any government official unless pre-approved in the grant budget.
- Bribes – Absolutely none. Chapters and their officers must comply with all applicable laws prohibiting corruption and bribery, including the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).
Government officials include government employees and agents, political candidates, employees of state-owned entities, and their families and agents.
How to Apply
Applications must be completed and submitted online through the Foundation’s grants management system, Fluxx. Chapter officers should use the same login credentials as Fonteva/AMS.
Required documents:
- Budget (using the 3-Tab Budget Report Template)
- Workplan
- Equipment request form (if requesting funding for equipment)
Apply now: (Link available through the Internet Society Foundation’s website)
Questions: Email foundation@isocfoundation.org
Frequently Asked Questions (Unpacked)
Can my chapter have other grants while managing BtN grants?
Yes. Chapters are eligible to receive one additional grant from another ISOC Foundation grant program while also managing BtN grants. Smaller event sponsorships and Chapter Admin Funding are exempt from this policy.
Who can be the signatory for a grant?
Someone authorized to sign legally binding documents on behalf of your chapter—typically the Chapter Treasurer or Chapter President.
Can chapter officers be paid for project work?
Yes, but reasonable compensation for chapter officers cannot exceed 20% of the total budget. Officers cannot be paid as external consultants, and they cannot use their own organizations as pass-through entities for grant funds.
Can I collaborate with another chapter on a project?
Yes, but there must be a single lead applicant. The lead chapter takes full responsibility for distributing funds and for all grant reporting (financial and narrative). Letters of acknowledgement from participating chapters must be submitted. Domestic and international travel to collaborate with other chapters is generally not permissible; use alternative funding sources for those expenses.
Can I submit a proposal for “pre-approval” while my current grant is still active?
Please do not. The Foundation aims to maintain equitable funding opportunities for the global community of well over 100 chapters. Submitting proposals for pre-approval would be unfair to other chapters.
